Help us make this year’s Nutcracker EXTRA special, by participating in our Souvenir Program Contests! This year, we’re having 4 contests that you can submit your original work to, for your chance to be published in our Special Souvenir Program!
Submitting is free, open to all ages, and supports this magical production! So please submit if you can.
About the Nutcracker
The Nutcracker, Russian Shchelkunchik, is a ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The last of his three ballets, it was first performed in December 1892. Every year, we recreate this timeless classic in Santa Cruz with our Nutcracker Performance.
The story of The Nutcracker is loosely based on the E.T.A. Hoffmann fantasy story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King. Hoffmann’s story is darker and more troubling than the version that reached the stage; the Imperial Russian Ballet choreographer Marius Petipa chose to follow a light adaptation of the story written by Alexandre Dumas père.
About Santa Cruz City Ballet
The International Academy of Dance is home of the Santa Cruz City Ballet, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that produces Nutcracker: Experience the Magic! each year at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater. The non-profit also offers scholarship assistance to dancers within the community, as well as trains and supports dancers to transition into college programs and dance companies.
About the Souvenir Program
This year, we're trying something special! We hope to make a souvenir program that people will cherish for years. That's where you come in. If you've ever seen the Nutcracker and feel inspired to make a game about it, then this jam is for you! We'd love to showcase your work in the printed program. If you'd rather do a Nutcracker-themed digital game, please submit that too! We can't publish it in the program, of course, but we'll highlight it on our website if it fits the bill :)
About the Submissions
While we're having contests primarily for our printed Souvenir Program, feel free to submit digital-based Nutcracker-themed games. We'd love to share them on our website!
Theme: The Nutcracker (Ballet)
Restrictions: Printable (Only if you'd like to be published in our Souvenir Program Contests)—think crosswords, cryptograms, short oneshots of table top games—anything that can be printed!
Additional Restrictions: Please keep all submissions family friendly!
Ranking is just for fun because I think it helps to give feedback, play games, and see what others are up to! Ranking will be on theme, polish, and creativity.
Please note: if you'd like to submit art or writing (i.e. unplayable media), we welcome it in our Souvenir Program Contests. Free to enter and open to all ages.
Available Support & Resources
Questions, comments, etc? Just post on itch here, or email us at frontdesk@iadance4joy.com